The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-09-15

a general rising that day over Scotland
and England. In those days there was
not the means ofrapid COMMUNICATION that
there is now, and hence the members
were easily deceived. Hart was badly
wounded by sword cuts, but thrust his
pike through an officers hand. The Off
Ger, to his credit be it said, did not testi-
fy it was Hart who wounded him, and
Hart's life was saved. The officer said
afterwards he would not be the means of
sending a gallant fellow to the scaffold.
Hart with fourteen others were banish
ed, and he died a few years ago, the last
survivor, at the age of 81, honored and
respected in Australia through life.
Mr.. James Hart in giving me these
particulars said one man was too badly
wounded to be removed and was placed
in house near by, but he did not know
what became of him. l told him could
tell him, as my father was deep in the
movement, but did not take the field,
only owing to the failure of others. One
rainy, stormy night, a friend came to the
window outside and the wounded man
with great difficulty got the window up
and himself to it, and was helped out
and carried some distance to house and
was, soon got into Glasgow, being fire.
quently removed, in some instances Just
after removal the house left was searched
for him. He finally got well enough to
sail to America. am not certain as to
his name, but think it was Fleming.
Mr.. Hart was glad to hear this account
for ne had never been ably to learn what
became of the gallant fellow.
The Scotch forget not their martyrs for
civil and religious liberty, as numerous
noble monuments testify. They also
bear their memories in fresh remem-
brance as have frequentlytound by con.
versing during the last few weeks. There
is no mistaking public sentiment, and l
cannot butt think that, ere long privilege
must have an end, for the rights of the
people are eternal"
Dropping into room in Dunoon,
where an old man has lot of second
hand books for sale, l enquired for a book
giving sketch of the radical time in
1920 and the trial and execution of Baird
and Hardie, with the exposure of the spy
system. He knew of the work but had
it not. However, he soon produced an
old book giving sketches of Thomas
Muir, Gerald, Margaret and Skirving,
who were tried in 1894 for libel and plot.
ting against the government circulating
Thomas Paine and Volney's political
writings, sc. Muir was lawyer and
ably defended himself. The volume,
which l bought, gives a full report of his
trial. They were convicted and sent to
Botany Bay.
Shortly after Muir's banishment, SYM
pathizers in the United States fitted out
vessel for his rescue, and on reaching
the Bay claimed to be a merchant ship.
Muir was soon informed and was got on
board and the vessel sailed. 1t was how
ever wrecked on our Pacific coast, and
all perished but Muir and two sailors
who got ashore, falling into the hands
of the Indians. The sailors were never
heard of, but Muir after great hardship
and travelling, it is thought, two or three
| thousand miles, reached Panama and
was cared for kindly by the Governor,
who helped him to Vera Cruz, recon-
mending him to the Spanish Government
there. He was shipped to Havana at
his own request with view of getting
to New York; but the Spanish authori-
l blOO bllClC 0CllO lllh W Dptslhs VII
ing Cadiz the two Spanish ships were
attacked by British ships and captured.
During the engagement, Muir took a
hand and was badly wounded. The Brit.
ish sailors were about to throw him over
board, supposing he was dead, but notic-
ing him breathe, he was placed in the
hospital at Cadiz as a mortally wounded
Spanish sailor. An old school friend,
an officer on board the British ship
knew him, but did not disclose
He carefully bound up his terrible
wounds, by which an eye was
destroyed, and had him carefully
conveyed to Cadiz in a skiff. This oc-
Cured in April, 1897.
After months of suffering he recovered
sufficiently to be removed to France, the
French government having made a
formal demand for him upon the Span
ish government. He was given a public
reception at Bordeaux and was congratu-
lated by the Directory, and was gladly
welcomed by Paine and other noble
friends at Paris. This noble patriot and
accomplished scholar and gentleman did
not long survive, for he died at Chantilly,
near Paris, in September, 1898.
| must conclude by saying the good
work goes on, and is by no means dead
in Scotland. The native land of Robert
Burns continues to fully appreciate the
telling blows he dealt for the rights of
man and for humanity in his mastery
poems. His Twa Dogs, Man was Made
to Mourn, The Cottar's Saturday Night,
and other poems, not forgetting, A Mans
a Man for a. That, the noblest songin the
world, still plead in thunder tones for
right and justice. All honor to Scotia's
immortal bard. A. MCGREGoR.
Cadzow Cottage, Alfred street.
Dunoon, Scotland, August 22, 1887.